Court of Appeals Celebrates 88th Founding Anniversary
February 1, 2024
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo speaks before Members of the Court of Appeals (CA) and its staff on the occasion of their 88th Founding Anniversary with the theme “CA@88: To Infinity (Otso-Otsong Anibersaryo Todo-Todong Serbisyo)” on February 1, 2024 at the CA Auditorium. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo joined the 88th Founding Anniversary of the Court of Appeals (CA) held today at the CA Auditorium.
Speaking before Members of the CA and its staff, the Chief Justice highlighted how the work in the CA is crucial as a filtering mechanism for cases that eventually reach the Supreme Court. He further stressed that it is no secret that the CA has always been a good training ground for those aspiring to become members of the Supreme Court and it has indeed been the main source of appointees to the Highest Court. He thus reminded the CA Justices: “It is for this reason that no less than the faithful observance of the four virtues of competence, integrity, probity, and independence is expected from you at all times.”
Themed CA@88: To Infinity (Otso-Otsong Anibersaryo Todo-Todong Serbisyo), Chief Justice Gesmundo acknowledged that no matter how efficient the Judiciary works in the administration of justice, there will always be the next case up. “Sa madaling salita: unli cases, walang katapusan ang trabaho natin.”
But despite this daunting task, the Chief Justice expressed his faith in the CA and underscored its important role in adjudication. “An efficient and effective appeals process is a cornerstone of any well-functioning Judiciary—and as I always say, the work that appellate courts do is vital to the effective dispensation of justice in our country.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo also took the opportunity to call for the continued participation and support of the CA Justices and their staff for the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 or SPJI as he cited several lined up SPJI activities, namely: the development of Network Infrastructure for the Judiciary, which will ensure network interoperability to enhance data-sharing, drive productivity, and foster better communication for organizational excellence, under the outcome of Innovation; a Judiciary-wide Organizational Review and Restructuring to streamline our administrative and adjudicative functions, towards our target outcome of Efficiency; and the Launch of Social Media Info Sites employing user-friendly language in English, Filipino, and the most commonly used dialects to provide easily digestible information on court services and how to access them, under the outcome of Access, aim to enhance efficiency, streamline functions, and provide accessible information to the public.
The Chief Justice ended with an aspiration to “build an institution that stands the test of time— one that is oriented towards continuous learning and improvement; that is flexible and adaptable to whatever changes and challenges may come in the future; that keeps pace with both advancements in technology and the development of our nation—and, through these, remains efficient and effective in delivering the kind of justice that our people deserve.”
The Chief Justice, joined by Supreme Court Associate Justices Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Jhosep Y. Lopez, and Japar B. Dimaampao, was welcomed by Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Mariflor P. Punzalan Castillo. Also in attendance were Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes, Jr., and incumbent and retired Court of Appeals Associate Justices. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo expresses his faith in the Court of Appeals (CA) and underscored its important role in adjudication: “An efficient and effective appeals process is a cornerstone of any well-functioning Judiciary—and as I always say, the work that appellate courts do is vital to the effective dispensation of justice in our country” at the CA’s 88th Founding Anniversary held on February 1, 2024 at the CA Auditorium. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
(From right) Supreme Court Associate Justices Jhosep Y. Lopez, Japar B. Dimaampao, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, and Amy C. Lazaro-Javier join Court of Appeals (CA) Presiding Justice Mariflor P. Punzalan Castillo during the afternoon program of the 88th Founding Anniversary of the CA held on February 1, 2024 at the CA Auditorium. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)